Our Correspondent
Kohima | January 26
Four Naga achievers have been conferred with the Governor’s Award for Excellence in recognition of their contribution and excellence in the field of literature and music. Governor of Nagaland Nikhil Kumar gave away the awards here at Raj Bhavan on the occasion of Republic Day. The Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio and Opposition leader Tokheho Yepthomi were among the dignitaries present in the award ceremony.
The recipients of the award are Achila Imlong Erdican and Rev. Y Chingang Konyak for Literature, Hojevi Cappo and Lipokmar Tsudir for Music. The award carries Rs. 25,000 each along with a citation. Governor Nikhil Kumar congratulated the recipients for their work and said ‘whether one works in India or abroad, it brings honor to all of us and it is something for all to cheer about.’
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said the award was incepted in 2004 to give recognition to those who have attained excellence in the field of literature, music and arts. The state government will give recognition and encourage particularly the younger generation so they can pursue national and international aspirations.
Profile of awardees
Achila Imlong Erdican
Daughter of Late Imlong Chang, Achila Imlong graduated from Isabella Thoburn College, Lucknow University in 1955. She pursued M.Ed from Linfield College, USA and M.L.Sc from University of Western Ontario, Canada. She underwent Girl Guide Commissioners Training at the Commonwealth Headquarter, London, England and served as the first Girl Guides State Commissioner under the Government of Nagaland during 1964-68. She also holds a Diploma in adult education extension course San Francisco State College, C.A USA, a diploma in linguistics from Hartford Seminary Foundation. She has published books like Adult Primers & Adult Follow-up Readers in Chang, Sangtam and Yimchunger languages, a resource handbook for colorectal cancer survivors on website) 2004. The Chang- English, English Chang Dictionary published in 2003 introduced a new methodology of standard spelling system devised by her, for which it is being reprinted in 58 countries and she was awarded as the author of the year 2010 by the Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation, Calcutta, India. She is a member of the Georgia Council for International Visitors, Atlanta, GA, USA since 1980. Imlong is married to Albert G. Erdican, Ph. D.
Rev. Y Chingang Konyak
Son of Lt. A. Yongang Konyak, Rev. Y. Chingang Konyak was born in November 1933. He passed his B.Th from the Eastern Theological College Jorhat in Assam in 1966. He was actively involved in various fields from his childhood for the uplift of his people and his contributions are well recognized in the progress of the Konyak Naga tribe. He has greatly contributed to lead his society in all spheres of life. As secretary of the Konyak Tribal Literature Committee during 1968-2002, translation and printing of the New Testament of the Holy Bible into the Konyak dialect (Üjao Laitep) was initiated and achieved under him in 1973. He was also the president of Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) during 1968-1969. After actively serving the Lord Almighty for 42 years, Rev. Y. Chingang Konyak retired on December 31st, 2008. Of his many achievements, his contributions towards the Konyak’s literature have been quite remarkable. He has written a number of books including Ine, Jongne, Jamne - 1963, Konyak Bulang Ngao - 1969, Konyak Kahjamlai (Dictionary)- 1990, and Hemngaotüolai (Anthology in Konyak)- 2007 etc. that will continue to inspire and help his people through the years to come.
Hojevi Cappo
Hojevi Cappo, son of Rev. Yetohe Kappo of Thahekhu village, under Dimapur District is a music promoter with a difference. He did his B.Th and B. D from Jorhat (Serampore University), Bachelor in Church Music (Diploma) from Asian Institute for Liturgy & Music, Manila, Philippines and Diploma in Pastoral Care from United Theological College, Bangalore. He was a music lecturer at Trinity Theological College Dimapur for the year 1999-2002. He performed at Philippines Annual Music Festival at Manila in 1994-95 as a member of Asian Choral Manila. He also performed at the ‘Amsterdam 2000’ (Billy Graham Crusade), representing the NBCC as a choir member. He led the Naga youth choir to Evangelical Fellowship of India Silver Jubilee Conference 2001 in Bangalore. He was a member of the Naga cultural troupe to United States of American who performed at the White House, Washing D.C and several other states 2006. He is presently the choir conductor of Nagaland Chamber Choir. He is also the founder and leader of the Nagagenous Folk Music Group to promote Naga traditional music.
Lipokmar Tzudir
Lipokmar Tsudir is one of the foremost choral conductors in India today. Lipokmar Tsudir started his professional career as a conductor in the year 2000 at the Philippines, conducting church choirs. After returning to India in 2005 he organized the Mokokchung Chancel Choir and has performed in almost all the major art festivals in the country. In 2007, he was invited to conduct a choir at New York in commemoration of India’s 60th year of Independence. He worked as music director and conductor of one of West Yorkshire’s well known choir “Holme Valley Singers” in England from 2007 to 2009 leading them in numerous concerts. He holds the distinction of being the first Indian to be awarded the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi’s ‘Ustad Bismilla Khan Yuva Purakar’ in 2006 for his contribution to the field of Choral Music. Presently, he is the music director of Nagaland Singing Ambassadors and Chancel Choir Foundation for performing arts, Nagaland, India. He had performed in various cities of India with Nagaland Singing Ambassadors and Mokokchung Chancel Choir. He has numerous performances as soloist and section leader with Asian Ensemble, Philippines. For the year 200-2004, he was a member of Philippine Chamber Choir and performed in Singapore and various cities in Philippines.
